Latest news with #post-Pahalgam
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Congress has a Shashi Tharoor problem it can no longer ignore
It was 1939. The Indian National Congress was about to elect its national president. The contenders? Subhas Chandra Bose and Pattabhi Sitaramayya. Despite Mahatma Gandhi's backing, Sitaramayya couldn't gather the numbers — he fell short by 203 votes — and Bose, for the second time, became the Congress President. Gandhi declared that it was his 'defeat'. Bose couldn't form the working committee. Sensing the differences with the topmost leadership (the word 'high command' was yet to enter the vocabulary of the grand old party), he stepped down and left the party forever. Cut to 2025. A lot has changed, both in political ethics as well as in temporal compulsions. In the last seven decades, Congress endured many splits; witnessed leadership crises, ideological tensions, dynastic supremacy, electoral decimation and partial revival. But one thing remained constant — the consequences of falling out with the high command were resignation or expulsion. If not anyone else, Shashi Tharoor, who is well-versed in history — not the WhatsApp-ed version — knows this well. Tharoor's post-Pahalgam departure from the party line – both domestically and abroad — and Congress's increasing tolerance of such indiscipline, as evident also in the party's silence over Salman Khurshid's comments on abrogation of Article 370, signal a deeper malaise within the party. As a part of the international delegation to the US, formed by the Indian government to convey the country's position on terrorism and Pakistan across the globe, Tharoor said that 'India breached the LoC (Line of Control)' for the first time during the 2016 surgical strike. He also lauded the government for the post-Pulwama strike in 2019. Notably, on both occasions, Congress had questioned the veracity of the attacks and sought sufficient evidence. Moreover, Tharoor's comments, the Congress leadership alleges, have negated the 'golden history' of Congress rule. 'In 1965, the Indian Army entered Pakistan at multiple points, which completely surprised the Pakistanis in the Lahore sector. In 1971, India tore Pakistan into two pieces, and during the UPA government, several surgical strikes were unleashed, but drumbeating was not done…', posted Congress spokesperson Udit Raj on X. This was later reposted by the Congress top brass, including Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera. This is not the first time Tharoor has invoked the leadership's wrath. From his expression of interest in being a 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' brand ambassador to Kerala Congress's allegations that he has been writing 'love letters' to PM Modi, Tharoor has carved himself a special space as a dissenter. He was also one of the 'G-23' leaders who had questioned the high command in 2022. However, till Pahalgam, he walked a tightrope without crossing the party line. Any decision by Congress about his fate would depend on many factors, including the 2026 Kerala assembly elections. But for now, the party's indecisiveness over Tharoor has put it in a spot. It can neither swallow the bitter pills, nor can it afford to throw it up. Congress must remember that it has seen worse, and on every occasion, after a hiatus of a few years — sometimes less than a year — it has got back on track. In an old party like Congress, ideological objectives are not static; they are temporal and strategic, and hence, intra-party dissent is a natural outcome. But crossing the 'party line' on certain issues — where there is no room for confusion — has historically not been accepted in Congress, or for that matter, in any political party since the formation of the political party system. In 1950, senior Congress leader Purushottam Das Tandon became the Congress President in the Nashik session, defeating one of the tallest political figures of that time: J B Kripalani. However, due to his differences with Prime Minister Nehru, he had to step down. The party knew that without Nehru's popularity, they would not be able to win the 1952 general elections. The 1980s witnessed tension between the then-PM Rajiv Gandhi and his finance minister — later defence minister — V P Singh. Gandhi was not happy with Singh ordering raids on the premises of businessmen who were reportedly close to him. The tension reached its peak when Singh's name came up in an alleged defence scam, and he was asked to resign from the cabinet; following this, he left the party, only to become the Prime Minister within two years. Similarly, the 1990s were the decade of Sharad Pawar's disgruntlement. From him sulking over not being made the PM in 1991 to his endorsement of the BJP's 'foreigner' jibe against Sonia Gandhi, Pawar had crossed all the 'lines'. Although Saheb (as Pawar is referred to) thought that he was representing the sentiment of the country through his support for the BJP's narratives — quite similar to today's Tharoor or Khurshid — he was expelled. This parting of ways cost Congress a lot, especially in Pawar's home ground, Maharashtra, but the party didn't compromise on its 'line'. Tharoor is no Singh or Pawar. But his all-weather ebullience, sophistication, lustrous hair, and sometimes incomprehensible English have made him a darling of the elite upper-middle-class Indians. One needs to acknowledge that Tharoor represents everything that the BJP stands against. The BJP's crusade against elitist English-speaking, mostly foreign-educated, critical intellectuals, labelled as 'Khan market gang', would not give him enough space to fit in. There is a way to put forward the views of the party without echoing the ruling party's narratives. Learning from DMK MP Kanimozhi's response in Spain – when she was asked what India's national language is, she said, 'unity in diversity' – could be a good starting point. Unity is not always about unanimity. Diverse views, put together in a united manner, don't weaken democracy; rather, they uphold its inherent strength. Tharoor and Khurshid represent what is fundamentally wrong with Congress. Sometimes, tough decisions need to be taken to safeguard the sanctity of the 'line', without tampering with intra-party democracy.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
News Menu, May 3: PM's vital cabinet meet today after Op Sindoor; IPL final
Good morning. On June 3, 1947, the Mountbatten Plan outlined the partition of British India into two independent dominions -- India and Pakistan. Announced by Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, the plan accelerated India's independence, set for August 15, 1947, but triggered massive communal violence, displacement, and migration, with millions affected and thousands killed. It reshaped South Asia's political landscape, creating lasting geopolitical tensions, particularly over is India Today's news menu for today, capturing history in Tea: Operation Sindoor's Global EchoesPM Narendra Modi gears up to meet Operation Sindoor delegations on June 9 or 10 in New Delhi, following their outreach to 33 countries post-Pahalgam terror attack. Returning from Tuesday, the teams will brief Modi on global responses to India's anti-terror stance. Meanwhile, a diplomatic duel looms as Shashi Tharoor's all-party Indian delegation and Pakistan's team, led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, converge in the US to sway American lawmakers post-Operation Sindoor. Both nations vie for support amid heightened tensions. India Today unpacks this high-stakes India-Pakistan showdown on global with Cabinet: Modi's Ministerial MeetPM Modi chairs the Union Council of Ministers on Wednesday, the first since the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. The meeting will strategise India's next steps in security and Feast: IPL 2025 FinaleadvertisementRoyal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Virat Kohli, face Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final. Will RCB's 18-year title drought end tonight? With Shreyas Iyer in sizzling form, Punjab Kings will mount a tough challenge to Virat Kohli's title ambition. India Today captures the electric Brouhaha: Sacrifice Sparks ClashMaharashtra's Goseva Aayog demands a livestock market ban before Eid al-Adha, igniting controversy. BJP pushes for a 'green, bloodless' Bakrid, while theIslamic Centre issues sacrifice advisories. India Today probes this cultural face-off that's become part of India's annual Soup: Panoli Case EscalatesA second complaint targets Wajahat Khan, the main complainant against influencer Sharmistha Panoli, who's jailed for her Operation Sindoor remarks. Khan's father claims he's missing, while Panoli's lawyer cites poor jail conditions. BJP slams Mamata's 'Muslim bias.' India Today tracks this political firestorm triggered by social media Pulse: Rahul's Redemption PushRahul Gandhi visits Bhopal to revamp Congress's Madhya Pradesh unit via the 'Creation Campaign,' aiming to reclaim lost ground. On June 4, he heads to Chandigarh for Haryana Congress's 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' post-poll debacle. With the Congress failing to capture power in these key states despite favourable conditions in previous elections, Gandhi faces a tricky another scion bares his ambition in Bihar. Chirag Paswan hints at contesting Bihar polls, backing Nitish Kumar but eyeing strategic leverage. Misa Bharti demands his resignation first. India Today unpacks this political chess Golgappa: Russia-Ukraine Talks FalterRussia-Ukraine peace talks in Turkey collapse after an hour, with both sides' visions clashing. Ukrainian drones hit Russian bombers, escalating tensions. India Today analyses this global Sizzler: Thug Life TangleKamal Haasan moves Karnataka High Court for release of Thug Life as Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) demands an apology for his remarks on the origin of Kannada. India Today follows this cinematic standoff that has become a proxy for the rivalry between Karnataka and Tamil Kimchi: South's Snap ElectionSouth Korea holds a snap presidential election on Tuesday. The poll was triggered by the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, who imposed martial law in December. Pre-poll surveys suggest Yoon's rival, Lee Jae-myung, could sweep the election, riding on deep public frustration in the wake of the martial law Bite: Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer with no prior experience in India, drew the 1947 boundaries between India and Pakistan. The hasty division, based on outdated maps and data, led to chaotic mass migrations, widespread violence, and millions of before in history so much havoc had been caused by a cartographer's pen.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Are we frittering away the gains of post-Pahalgam political consensus?
Are we frittering away the gains of post-Pahalgam political consensus? While all-party delegations project the face of a united India on foreign shores, divisive rhetoric and internal bickering back home are doing quite the opposite
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India-Pakistan News Live updates: MP Ravi Shankar Prasad-led delegation meets Priti Patel, highlights Operation Sindoor in UK
India launched a significant diplomatic offensive through its seven multi-party parliamentary delegations visiting over 30 countries, as part of Operation Sindoor—a post-Pahalgam terror attack outreach aimed at isolating Pakistan diplomatically and strengthening global counterterrorism cooperation. Delegation visits to the UK, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria have focused on conveying India's unwavering stand against terrorism and building consensus for collective action. In London, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad stressed Mahatma Gandhi's enduring relevance in countering Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Tributes to Gandhi and Ambedkar set a unifying tone, as MPs spoke before cheering diaspora audiences. The delegation condemned Pakistan's attempts to destabilise the region, drawing praise from British-Indian leaders and diplomats. In Spain, DMK MP Kanimozhi led dialogues with Indian communities and met a survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. She called the diaspora's commitment to fighting terrorism 'heartwarming.' SP MP Rajeev Rai called Pakistan a 'puppet state,' urging stronger future responses to terror. Meanwhile, BJP's Baijayant Panda led another group to Saudi Arabia and Algeria, where cooperation on counterterrorism was a central theme. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey underscored India's historical ties with Algeria, and both countries reaffirmed strong bilateral trust. These visits not only counter Pakistan's narratives but also reinforce India's image as a responsible power combating terrorism. From engaging global policymakers to connecting with overseas Indians, the delegations are rallying international consensus for decisive action against terror networks and state sponsors.
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
All-party delegations are not seeking world's approval. They're controlling the narrative
We've lost soldiers, schoolchildren, daily wage workers, and pilgrims. Every kind of Indian. This war isn't fought on conventional battlegrounds, but in bazaars, buses, temples, and now even tourist spots. And yet, somehow, every time we respond, we're asked why. As if self-defence must first ask for approval. While the world has slowly woken up to the threat of terrorism—especially the kind rooted in Islamist ideologies—India has lived in its shadow for decades. What many outside don't fully grasp is that this isn't new for us. Bleed India with a Thousand Cuts is not just a fancy phrase, it's a doctrine—a long-standing military strategy, openly followed by the Pakistani establishment. The idea has always been simple and sinister: Use terror to destabilise, divide, and exhaust India from within by fuelling insurgency, funding radicalisation, and turning religion into a weapon. Many have jumped in to criticise India's decision to send all-party delegations to global capitals post-Pahalgam. Why do we need to explain ourselves? Why seek the world's approval? But the truth is—we're not living in isolation. We're part of a global system, and narratives matter. The same people who question this initiative often complain, day in and day out, about how unfair the international media is toward India. If that's the case, then isn't it necessary to speak up, to engage, to write our own stories in our own words—before others write them for us? So let it be said clearly: When India responds to terror, it isn't revenge—it's resistance. It's the bare minimum a sovereign nation owes to its people. There comes a point where silence is complicity, and restraint starts to look like surrender. And the world needs to hear about this. Global narratives still shape global sympathies. And in a world quick to comment but slow to understand, telling our story—in our words—is not seeking validation, it's setting the record straight. Also read: The world sees Ali Khan Mahmudabad's arrest first, not all-party delegations In one voice So far, India seems to be receiving the kind of response that validates this effort. Reports suggest that several countries are aligning with India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. Saudi Arabia has expressed support, stating it stands with India in its fight against terror from Pakistan. Italy has offered bilateral cooperation. Indonesia, too, has extended its support. France has reiterated its solidarity and called on the democratic world to speak in one voice against terrorism. These aren't just diplomatic niceties—they're acknowledgements that India's fight is not isolated, nor unjustified. However, what stands out most about this delegation is not just the diplomacy—it's the image of Indians from every political party, every faith, every background, coming together to represent one country, with one voice. That's the real beauty of India. Unity in diversity isn't just a slogan—it's a lived reality. When people, despite their differences, set them aside to speak as one, to stand for India, that itself tells you what this country means. It's not uniformity. It's not sameness. It's strength in difference. That's the soul of India. Even Al Jazeera, never one to go easy on India, made a note of it: 'Inside India's Parliament, they are sworn rivals… but over the past few days, they have [come together].' And that's the quiet success of this delegation—reminding the world that this isn't about party lines or warmongering. It's about a nation that's tired. When AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi told Middle Eastern leaders that Pakistan is the aggressor, not the victim, the message was clear. T his was never a fight between religions. It's a fight for coexistence, against a mindset that sees supremacy as identity. And when voices as different as Owaisi's and the BJP's say the same thing abroad, it's no longer just diplomacy, it's a shared truth India is finally done apologising for. This moment sends a message to our nation as well. If we are to speak of unity, justice and truth abroad, we must also uphold these values at home. The credibility of our global message depends on the strength of our democracy, the fairness of our institutions, and the freedoms we guarantee to our people. Our external assertiveness must be matched by internal integrity. In the end, if there's a message this delegation carries, it is this: India is not asking for sympathy. It is standing with dignity. Tired, maybe—but not defeated. Still choosing dialogue—but unwilling to be silent. This is what it means to be a nation that has suffered much, but still believes in the possibility of peace built not on denial, but on truth. Amana Begam Ansari is a columnist, writer, TV news panelist. She runs a weekly YouTube show called 'India This Week by Amana and Khalid'. She tweets @Amana_Ansari. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
